CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs - October 2-4, 2026 | Election Law, Gujarat UCC, E-Challan

1. Supreme Court Split Verdict on Election Commissioners Law; Plea Seeks Recall of One Judge's Opinion

In the news: The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on September 23 on petitions challenging the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. Justice Dipankar Datta held that the case could be heard by a two-judge Bench, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma said it required a Constitution Bench under Article 145(3). Both judges referred the matter to the CJI.

On October 1, petitioner Naman Sherstra sought recall of Justice Sharma's opinion, citing media reports about his son's role as standing counsel for the Election Commission. The plea does not allege actual bias. Justice Datta asked him to mention it before the CJI. Another petitioner, Jaya Thakur, had filed a curative petition on September 29.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Article 145(3): When a case involves a substantial question of constitutional interpretation, it has to be heard by a Bench of at least five judges.

• 2023 law: The selection committee for the Election Commission comprises the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

• Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023): A five-judge Bench had earlier put an interim system in place that included the CJI on the selection panel. The 2023 law later replaced this arrangement.

• Article 324: Gives the Election Commission overall superintendence, direction and control over elections.

• Recall and curative petitions: Both are remedies available after a court has already delivered its judgment or order, but they serve different purposes.

MCQs

Q1. In which Article do at least five judges sit to hear cases that involve "substantial questions of constitutional interpretation"?

A. Article 32
B. Article 124
C. Article 145(3)
D. Article 226

Answer: C

Q2. Who makes up the selection committee under the 2023 Act?

A. Prime Minister, CJI and Leader of Opposition
B. Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM
C. President, Vice President and CJI
D. Prime Minister, Home Minister and CJI

Answer: B

Q3. What was the Supreme Court's 2023 decision that included the CJI as part of an interim selection panel?

A. Shreya Singhal v. Union of India
B. Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India
C. Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala
D. NALSA v. Union of India

Answer: B

2. Gujarat Uniform Civil Code gets President's approval

On September 17, President Droupadi Murmu signed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 into law. The Act was notified in the Gujarat gazette on 1st October and will be effective from the date notified by the State government.

The Act covers marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, and prohibits bigamy. Marriage registration is mandatory and must be completed within 60 days. Wilful non-compliance can attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000. The law applies across Gujarat and to Gujarat residents living outside the State. However, Scheduled Tribes covered under Article 342 and groups protected under Part XXI are excluded.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Uniform Civil Code: A common set of personal laws on marriage, divorce and succession for all citizens, whatever their religion.

• Article 44: A Directive Principle that asks the State to try to secure a uniform civil code. It is not enforceable in court.

• Article 342: Deals with the list of Scheduled Tribes.

• Presidential assent: A State Bill reserved for the President becomes law only after the President gives assent.

MCQs

Q1. Which group is excluded from the Gujarat UCC Act?
A. Scheduled Tribes covered under Article 342
B. All minority communities
C. Government employees
D. Persons living outside Gujarat

Answer: A

Q2. Within how many days must a marriage be registered under the Act?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days

Answer: C

Q3. When will the Gujarat UCC Act come into force?
A. From October 1, 2026
B. On the date the State government notifies in the gazette
C. After one year automatically
D. After the Supreme Court approves it

Answer: B

3. Plea in Supreme Court Against Six-Stanza Vande Mataram

In the news: A Supreme Court plea challenges the use of the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram as the National Song. The petitioner argues that government orders promoting it violate fundamental rights, including freedom of religion.

The plea seeks recognition of only the two-stanza standalone version. It says later stanzas from Anandamath contain religious imagery. In a separate case, the Court observed that people cannot be forced to sing the song under threat of punishment and referred to the Bijoe Emmanuel judgment. No final decision has been given.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986): The Supreme Court held that students who stood respectfully during the National Anthem but did not sing could not be punished.

• Article 25: Freedom of conscience and the right to freely practise and propagate religion.

• Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression. This includes the freedom not to speak or sing.

• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Recently amended to bring the National Song under criminal law. Intentionally preventing its singing, or disturbing a gathering singing it, can attract up to three years' imprisonment.

• Conscientious objector: A person who refuses an act because of sincere personal belief.

MCQs

Q1. Which Supreme Court judgment protects those who stand respectfully but do not sing the National Anthem?
A. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
B. Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala
C. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
D. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

Answer: B

Q2. Which Act was amended to bring the National Song under criminal law?
A. Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
B. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
C. Emblems and Names Act, 1950
D. Official Secrets Act, 1923

Answer: A

Q3. Which version does the petitioner ask the Court to recognise as the National Song?
A. The six-stanza version
B. The two-stanza standalone version
C. Only the first line
D. A version chosen by each State

Answer: B

4. Supreme Court Orders Block on Vehicle Services for Unpaid E-Challans

In the news: The Supreme Court has directed States and UTs to block vehicle services for motorists with unpaid e-challans. These include registration, fitness and PUC certificates, ownership transfers and licence renewals. About Rs 49,194.05 crore in e-challans remains unpaid, with Rs 26,175.05 crore recovered. Vehicles with unpaid dues must be blacklisted on the Central Parivahan portal.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Section 136A, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Provides for electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety. The SOP gives effect to it, along with Rule 167A of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

• E-challan: A traffic fine issued electronically, often from CCTV or speed camera evidence.

• Parivahan portal: The central portal for vehicle and licence related services.

• Impounding: Taking a vehicle into official custody.

MCQs

Q1. Which section of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is linked to the SOP on electronic enforcement?
A. Section 112
B. Section 136A
C. Section 185
D. Section 194

Answer: B

Q2. On which portal will vehicles with unpaid e-challans be blacklisted?
A. Central Parivahan portal
B. DigiLocker
C. e-Courts portal
D. UMANG

Answer: A

Q3. What is the approximate amount of outstanding e-challans mentioned before the Court?
A. ₹4,919 crore
B. ₹26,175 crore
C. ₹49,194 crore
D. ₹91,000 crore

Answer: C

5. Centre Notifies Rules for National Tribunals Commission

In the news: The Law Ministry has notified rules for the National Tribunals Commission, which will appoint members and chairpersons for 16 tribunals and appellate bodies. The Delhi-based Commission will have a chairperson and four members, including two judicial and two technical members. It will also oversee candidate selection and complaints of misconduct. The rules follow the Tribunals Reforms Bill passed in August and earlier Supreme Court concerns over judicial independence and separation of powers.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Tribunals: Bodies outside regular courts that decide specific kinds of disputes. They come under Part XIVA of the Constitution (Articles 323A and 323B).

• Separation of powers: The idea that the legislature, executive and judiciary should work independently.

• Judicial independence: Fair appointment, fixed tenure and protection from executive control.

• Search-cum-selection committee: A panel that searches for suitable candidates and then selects them.

MCQs

Q1. How many tribunals and appellate bodies will the Commission make appointments for?
A. 8
B. 12
C. 16
D. 25

Answer: C

Q2. Who can head the National Tribunals Commission?
A. Any serving Union Secretary
B. A retired Supreme Court judge or a retired High Court Chief Justice
C. Only a serving CJI
D. Any Member of Parliament

Answer: B

Q3. Why was the National Tribunals Commission created?
A. Following a Supreme Court direction after it struck down provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021
B. To replace the High Courts
C. To conduct elections
D. To regulate State governments

Answer: A

October 2 to October 4, 2026 Current Affairs: Quick Revision

Find below the key facts from today's CLAT 2027 current affairs that candidates should revise:

1. Article 145(3): Constitution Bench of at least five judges for substantial constitutional questions

2. 2023 Act: Selection committee for CEC and Election Commissioners

3. Anoop Baranwal (2023): Earlier interim arrangement with the CJI on the committee

4. Gujarat UCC: Excludes Scheduled Tribes under Article 342; marriage registration within 60 days

5. Bijoe Emmanuel (1986): Right not to sing the National Anthem

6. Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Now covers the National Song

7. Section 136A, Motor Vehicles Act: Electronic enforcement of traffic rules

8. National Tribunals Commission: 16 tribunals; Delhi headquarters; one chairperson and four members

CLAT 2027 Previous Day Current Affairs: September 26 - October 01, 2026